[BretLudwig]

((Frankenmuth is ironically a favored destination for Chicago lesbians in
upscale Loop corporate life to vacation and snorfchorle like crazed
rodents. But aside from that...Bret.))


"Little Bavaria" Latest Culture War Front

Michigan town attacked for historical symbol

by Norma Jackson

The historical and beautiful German American town of Frankenmuth, Michigan
is under attack by politically correct diversity mongers who object to the
Frankenmuth coat of arms. The Frankenmuth arms contain a small copy of the
seal of Dr. Martin Luther, founder of the Reformation, which has,
unsurprisingly, a cross. Americans United for Separation of Church and
State, a group that has co-operated with the Anti-Defamation League and
the Southern Poverty Law Center on legal issues, is now demanding that
Frankenmuth take the "Luther Rose" off of its symbol, and take down a
cross in a local park.

Like the ADL and SPLC, AUSCS is a hate group that aims to drive public
Christian expression out of the public eye. Observers see these kinds of
attacks as attempts to eradicate America's European foundational
uniqueness, part of an agenda that wants to change America
demographically.

Frankenmuth is a picturesque town in Michigan settled in 1845 by German
Lutheran missionaries and farmers. The pioneers came from Franconia, a
German area which is now part of Bavaria and which gives Frankenmuth its
nickname of "Little Bavaria." Frankenmuth means "courage of the
Franconians," a name chosen as a testamant to the hardy determination of
the settlers who faced the dangers of the unsettled wilderness with
courage and a strong religious faith. The success of these pioneers made
Frankenmuth an anchor for continuing German immigration, as attested to by
the names of surrounding villages like Frankenlust, Frankentrost, and
Frankenhilf. Frankenmuth is still 98.8% white.

With gingerbread style houses and an Old World feel, Frankenmuth is a
popular tourist destination because it has managed to retain its European
character, and has a charm and sense of history at odds with the soulless,
sterile and often dangerous landscape of many areas in the US.

In Michigan, victims of "white flight" ethnic cleansing from places like
Detroit, once a world class city, leave their suburban wastelands to flock
to Frankenmuth to experience a sense of the lost innocence and beauty of
days past. Road signs use a German fraktur font, and buildings are
constructed along the lines of the Franconian half timber style. Among the
popular events at Frankenmuth are the World Expo of Beer, as well as an
Oktoberfest and a Bavarian Fest. The German restaurants are renowned, and
Bronner's is touted as the world's largest Christmas store.

With this homey, Old World and "whitebread" profile, it comes as no
surprise to find that Frankenmuth is under attack from the same culture
war elements who spout intolerance each Christmas and Easter. Partisans
demand holidays be renamed: "Winter Holiday" for Christmas, "Spring Break"
for Easter. They attempt to dilute white holidays with additions like
Hanukkah (and spurious ones like "Kwanzaa"), or invent, rename or protest
still others. Among the last set are the Black and Hispanic History Months
and MLK Day. In some places Columbus Day has been renamed in favor of
American Indians, and also meets with special interest protests while some
schools use the occasion to beat "white guilt" into children. Similarly,
Thanksgiving is often twisted into a vehicle for self hatred, showing that
white Pilgrims all would have died if not for the noble Indians, and
responded by slaughtering their innocent red skinned friends. The culture
war goes far beyond holidays, of course. Colleges have been perverted into
ideological incubation centers devoid of critical thinking or tolerance for
dissent against overarching political correctness. Even marriage has been
attacked, with the accepted standards being revised in favor of the
homosexual agenda.

Little Bavaria is not called "courage of the Franconians" for nothing.
Instead of bowing down to the demands of Americans United for Separation
of Church and State, officials have decided to fight back. The Frankenmuth
town council voted to retain the services of the Thomas More Law Center, a
conservative legal group which has fought back against various politically
correct outrages against America's freedoms. In one TMLC victory, lawyers
for the Center defeated a San Diego requirement for municipal firefighters
to march in the annual "gay pride parade." With the Center sporting
formidable courage, tenacity and legal skill, Frankenmuth is well
protected by the TMLC and hopefully this attempt will go down to the
defeat it deserves.

The TMLC is named for St. Thomas More, an English lawyer and statesman who
went to his death rather than obey politicians and renounce his religious
principles.

As for the "Luther Rose," in 1530 Martin Luther explained its meaning:

Grace and peace from the Lord. As you desire to know whether my painted
seal, which you sent to me, has hit the mark, I shall answer most amiably
and tell you my original thoughts and reason about why my seal is a symbol
of my theology. The first should be a black cross in a heart, which retains
its natural color, so that I myself would be reminded that faith in the
Crucified saves us. "For one who believes from the heart will be
justified" (Rom. 10:10). Although it is indeed a black cross, which
mortifies and which should also cause pain, it leaves the heart in its
natural color. It does not corrupt nature, that is, it does not kill but
keeps alive. "The just shall live by faith" (Rom. 1:17) but by faith in
the crucified. Such a heart should stand in the middle of a white rose, to
show that faith gives joy, comfort, and peace. In other words, it places
the believer into a white, joyous rose, for this faith does not give peace
and joy like the world gives (John 14:27). That is why the rose should be
white and not red, for white is the color of the spirits and the angels
(cf. Matt. 28:3; John 20:12). Such a rose should stand in a sky-blue
field, symbolizing that such joy in spirit and faith is a beginning of the
heavenly future joy, which begins already, but is grasped in hope, not yet
revealed. And around this field is a golden ring, symbolizing that such
blessedness in Heaven lasts forever and has no end. Such blessedness is
exquisite, beyond all joy and goods, just as gold is the most valuable,
most precious and best metal. This is my compendium theoligae. I have
wanted to show it to you in good friendship, hoping for your appreciation.
May Christ, our beloved Lord, be with your spirit until the life hereafter.
Amen."

News Source: Norma Jackson


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